- Highlights: Waterfall, mountain views
- Distance: 4.3 mile lollipop
- Elevation Change 710 feet
- Trail Surface: Dirt with some rocky sections
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Trailhead Parking: Fairy Stone Lake Drive, trailhead parking area, park entry fee required
- Website: AllTrails and Fairy Stone State Park
- Beer Pairings: Buffalo Mountain Brewery—McDaniel’s Scotch Ale & Copperhead IPA
The Hike:
Fairy Stone State Park is one of the original Virginia State Parks from 1936. Stop by the visitor center to pick up a trail map and to learn more about fairy stones. This hike combines several shorter trails so there are numerous junctions. All the trail junctions have signs and the trails are marked with blazes. AllTrails makes trail navigation much easier. This is also an equestrian trail so watch your step.
From the parking area near the lake, cross the road top the trailhead kiosk. Begin on the white-blazed Beach Trail. Several yurts are located on the left. Turn left on the yellow-blazed Lakeshore Trail and then bear right on the blue-blazed Turkey Ridge Trail, following signs for the waterfall.
At .6 miles, bear left on the orange-blazed Little Mountain Falls Trail. There are several small streams crossings as you make your way to the falls. The falls are small, and during dry periods (as when we were hiking) the flow is greatly diminished. A small spur trail on the left at 1.6 miles leads to the falls.
Continue on the orange trail and at 2.3 miles, reach the Blue Ridge overlook on the right. There is a bench here so you can rest and take in the views. Continue on the Little Mountain Falls Trail as it passes through a gorge and then begins a gentle descent through a forest of oak and maple trees.
Bear left on the blue-blazed Turkey Ridge Trail and left again on the yellow-blazed Lake Shore Trail, pass the yurts, and return to the parking area and your vehicle.
Hike Photos:
Click on an image below for an enlarged view.
Beer Pairing:
About 40 minutes northwest of the trailhead in Floyd is Buffalo Mountain Brewery. They have a nice selection of craft beer, indoor and outdoor seating, food, and live music on weekends. Dogs are welcome outside. This is a friendly family-owned brewery and we definitely plan to return.
Kathy really liked Copperhead IPA. It is medium bodied and moderately strong, hoppy, and bitter but very smooth. It was really good. Pete listened to several rave reviews about McDaniel’s Scotch Ale and decided to give it a try. It was nicely malted with a deep ruby color and notes of caramel with a roasted malt finish. After the brewery, visit the Floyd Country Store for some great Bluegrass and Americana music.
Hike and drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Stay safe, be responsible, and leave no trace.